Hurricane Season Preparedness

It's that time of year again. The time when you should be getting ready for hurricane season.

NOAA is predicting an above average year, with 12 to 18 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher), including 3 to 6 major hurricanes (Category 3, 4 or 5; winds of 111 mph or higher). However, it only takes a single storm to change your life forever. You can go here to make a family disaster plan.

Today marks the start of National Hurricane Preparedness Week. Each day, there will be a different topic to focus on.

It has been 90 years since the Tampa Bay Area had a major hurricane make direct landfall. That last hurricane struck on October 25th, 1921. In 2004, Hurricane Charley almost hit Tampa directly, but made a turn at the last minute. We can't predict when a hurricane will hit the area, but we know that sooner or later, one will come. When it comes, Tampa could be wiped off the map.